The SRSCRO is working with the U.S. Department of Energy to advancenuclear education and training activities in the region through the Workforce Opportunities in the Region Careers (WORC) Grants.
Click on the grant below to learn about the program details.
WORC I Grant: (2016 – 2026)
The WORC grant was established to strengthen the local workforce pool needed to support the Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management (EM) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) missions, particularly in the Savannah River Site (SRS) region. WORC builds on the DOE-EM funded Advancing Nuclear Skills Regionally (ANSR) Program that established new nuclear training certificate and degree programs in the Savannah River Site region from 2011 – 2016. The WORC Program includes student scholarships, student retention strategies, student outreach and promotion of relevant education and training programs, including those developed through ANSR.
WORC I academic partners in South Carolina are Aiken Technical College, University of South Carolina Aiken and University of South Carolina Salkehatchie. WORC I academic partners in Georgia are Augusta Technical College and Augusta University. The SRS Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO) serves as the fiscal agent and provides coordination of regional efforts for the WORC Program.
The WORC I grant was awarded during May 2016 and was funded at $1M per year through May 2021 (5 years). In May 2021, WORC I was renewed for another 5-year period through May 2026. WORC I funds are used to support students training for:
- Industrial, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Welding and Computer Technology
- Radiation Protection Technology (RPT) & Nuclear Engineering Technology (NET)
- Process Engineering & Computer Science
- Environmental Remediation & Restoration Research
- Chemistry & Physics with a concentration in Nuclear Science
WORC II Grant: (2020 – 2025)
Citizens of the SRSCRO region received a significant boost in workforce development funding on August 10, 2020 when a formal award for $5M was made to the SRSCRO by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The new grant program, called WORC II, supports NNSA workforce development related to the proposed plutonium pit mission, the long-standing tritium mission, and the surplus plutonium disposition mission at SRS. WORC II academic partners include Aiken Technical College, Augusta Technical College, University of South Carolina Aiken, Augusta University, University of South Carolina Salkehatchie and Claflin University.
The new WORC II Program does not replace the successful $5M WORC I Program already in place. In fact, WORC I and WORC II Programs are designed to coexist with complementary features between the two. Both programs are administered by the SRSCRO and help local citizens develop skills needed for local jobs.
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Colleges in SRSCRO Region Offer Scholarships Through WORC Grant Program
Colleges and universities in the SRSCRO region offer scholarships for programs that address long-term workforce needs. These funds are available through the Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC) grant program, managed by SRSCRO. Prospective students are encouraged to inquire about these opportunities at their chosen institution.
AIKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Certificate and associate degree programs with WORC scholarship opportunities include SRS Apprenticeships, Nuclear Fundamentals, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Radiation Protection Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Welding Technology and Engineering Graphics Technology.
AUGUSTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
An extensive list of training programs, with WORC scholarship opportunities, are available to prepare students for well-paying local careers. The list includes: Chemical Technology, Computer Programming and Support, Cybersecurity, Electrical & Computer Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics. Network Specialist and Nuclear Engineering Technology.
AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY
Degree programs are available in many areas that support the nuclear industry, including Nuclear Science Track Degree Programs available through the Department of Chemistry and Physics.
USC AIKEN
Degree programs include many choices for students interested in pursuing careers in the nuclear science field through the College of Sciences which includes the opportunity to study all major areas of chemistry, biology, math, computer science or to enroll in pre-engineering. The Environmental Remediation and Restoration Program offers undergraduate research opportunities related to the nuclear industry and other industries.
USC SALKEHATCHIE
University of SC Salkehatchie extended campus programs offer a variety of academic programs in the region. Academic programs are available for science and math fields of study that lead to certificates and degrees related to the nuclear industry, such as the B.S. in Industrial Process Engineering. This new degree pathway was established through the WORC grant program and aligns USC Salkehatchie’s 2 + 2 partnership with USC Aiken’s Industrial Process Engineering program.
CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY
Through the WORC II grant scholarships, Claflin University is focused on Computer Science degree programs that align with the National Nuclear Security Administration’s workforce needs at the Savannah River Site.
